Fix for \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM missing or corrupted
Hello everybody we often used to see the following error message when we turn on or system.
“Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE”
But we have a easy fix for this. lets check the steps to be performed if we face that problem in our system.
Step 1 : Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD
Step 2 : At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
Step 3 : Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair. Typically this will be #1
Step 4 : Enter in the administrator password when requested
Step 5 : cd \windows\system32\config
Step 6 : Depending on which section was corrupted:
ren software software.bak or ren system system.bak
Step 7 : Depending on which section was corrupted
copy \windows\repair\system
copy \windows\repair\software
Step 8 : Take out the CD ROM and type exit
This is a very bad idea. I had this exact error message. I went through the steps and I got the blue screen of death–even worse! So I tried to go back to using the repair console and now it wants an administrator password–which there has never been a password before. So now I’m locked out of repair console. Just use the “official” method–
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545
Hi Friend, i understand the situation very well. but you should understand some thing the resolution given here did not guide to delete the Security or the sam file in the same folder. your Passwords are saved only in these files.. but the resolution only guides to replace the Software or the System file which will not delete the password.. so you can very well get inside recovery console without any problem until u did not delete Sam and Security files.
Still the link will help others to use the official method also…
I really Appreciate your Comments…!!!
every single help thing for this on the web is for windows XP i cant find one for windows 98, someone please help
Well my friend please let us know what help you want regarding to Win 98….????
Thanks Buddy..ur solution worked and ur site is added to my favourites
how can i apply this fix if i do not have a recovery disk/\?
Am I going to lose my pictures and music?
Ok, I have differnet problem with this and any help is appreciated. Working via phone with my sister whose computer started this error after replacing a power supply.
Our problem is it never sees the window XP disk upon boot-up. Gives us a winfast prompt then ggoes right to the error message?
The cd does light up when booting and the computer gives her the little beep. We also cannot get it to do anything when hitting F8 during boot up. Any suggestions??
Greg
Hi Greg,
Alter the boot sequence by going to BIOS. try by setting the first boot device to be your optical drive.
Ramanathan
Your fix worked like a charm. Took about 4 minutes all together and this machine is quite a bit older.
im on a friend’s computer typing this.
i dont have the cd, would i be able to use a friend’s xp setup cd?
i called my friends, but they all lost theirs =(
is someone willing to let me borrow their’s? buy? i really need to at least recover my files…
Thanks Ramanation, Finally got my hands on the computer. Got to the repairt screen but itnever asked for PW, went straight to DOS prompt. Then would not let me into the path/directory windows\system32\config. Tried everything I know so I am trying to format the drive. Not sure that is going to work I may have bad drive. Thanks again
Thanks a lot Ramanathan! I got the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM corrupted problem. I tried your method, only had to copy the system file from \windows\repair folder. Windows XP then boot up OK.
By the way, The computer is running Windows XP Home, but I can used XP Pro CD to repair it.
No Issues Godwin…!! you can use the win xp pro cd to get into the recovery console…!!
it worked greata for after several other tries using different sites… thank you
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! After many attempts to fix this either on my own or with “help” from other sites, your idea was quick, easy, and painless. Thanks so much.
Ramanathan,
I get the system error instead of the software error. After pressing 1, I am never prompted for the adminstrator password. Also when entering ren system system.bak I get “file not found” However ren software software.bak works fine. what could be the problem
Hi Neil
No issues…!! Just follow Step 7…!!
Ramanathan,
still no luck. WHen gettin to step 2. I also have a number 2 option listed as D:\minint. SHould I perform the steps using that partition?
i have this problem and theres no repair option , on the disk or pc. what the heck do i do?
thx, ramanathan. .
it works in my pc. .
i have the same problem..but the thing is i’m not getting
“R” as in repair in the beginning when u have to edit it…all i’m getting format and other stuff…help
thank you very much it helps.
hasan.
Well ur fix got me to the windows startup screen but then I just get a black screen. Any ideas now?
Thank you very much Ramanathan!After struggling to repair the system I came across your post. It was so easy and quick.Now my system is back up and I have access to my files again.
Thanks again, you saved the day!
Is there a risk that I will loose my photos and other important files when I try this solution?
Every time I try this I get an error saying that the directory could not be found. I tried just typing “dir” and it says an error occurred while it was enumerating the hard disk.
Does this mean that my hdd is dead or what?
What if you have an OEM version of xp home and only have a recovery DVd -it did not come with origianl program cds?
helo ..
juz insert the xp CD got to R option in
c:> type chkdsk c: will fix the problem guys
from
Jack
Problem: i insert the recovery disk and it is not recognized. Before the problem i attempted to install Kubuntu 8.04 inside of windows when the computer shut off on mo. Not only is the KDM ( kubuntu display manager) missing but system 32 as well. so upon boot up i get the select OS menu and no repair or format even with the disk in. I really need a solution with school coming up.
great help fixed it perfectly. big thanks
Hello!
How would I go about getting it fix. I have a sony vaio vgn-ax580g which does not have a cd-rom drive nor do i have the xp cd. the laptop is running on windows media center edition 2005.
Thanks in advance!
Fixed it in one go. I was so affraid my disk was corrupt. But this work great. Only had to replace the System file.
On Step 7 it says to copy the system or software file. I get a file not found error. Am I missing something
hey I have lastxp installed and i have a 40gb seageate and another type 80gb hard disk. The Xp is installed on the 40gb but I get the problem System32/config/system missing or corrupted i have formatted and reinstalled xp but after some time i still get the same problem
PS. when i move the power cable on the hard disk it spins some times it doesn’t so i have to find the pos of the cable so that the hard disk works?
Help
Thx , very help